Sleep apnea among commercial truck drivers

Sleep apnea among commercial truck drivers

Adequate sleep is an important factor to a healthy lifestyle. Not obtaining an appropriate amount of sleep can jeopardize the way a person performs and functions throughout the day. There are a variety of reasons why individuals suffer from chronic sleep disorders. Some of these reasons include the foods that one consumes and medications that alter the chemicals in our brain. Research has shown that approximately 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders. Although there are over 70 different types of sleep disorders, sleep apnea is the most common among commercial truck drivers and people who are overweight. Sleep apnea is a disorder that interrupts your breathing as you sleep. People who suffer from sleep apnea experience a collapse or blocking of the airway. When this occurs individuals tend to snore because of the air that is trying to make its way through the airway. During sleep apnea, it is also common that the airway completely closes and your blood oxygen level drops. When this happens your brain receives messages so that the individual can awake and begin normal breathing. Unfortunately, when a person does not obtain an adequate amount of sleep it is difficult to remain alert and concentrated on one’s daily routine. Commercial truck drivers for example, are at greater risk because of their inability to stay focused and are most likely to cause a traffic accident. It has been reported that although commercial truck drivers do not particularly fall asleep during their driving, they can still crash and cause damage. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) individuals who suffer from sleep apnea can still operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) as long as they have successfully treated the condition. A commercial motor vehicle driver can be disqualified if he or she has moderate to severe sleep apnea. Anyone with these two levels of sleep apnea are not permitted to drive. Untreated sleep apnea can also increase the risks of developing life threatening diseases such as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. Because of these reasons, it is important that you visit the doctor to obtain a diagnosis. Most people never know that they suffer from this condition unless they share their bed with a partner. Nevertheless, in order for the doctor to fully know whether a person suffers from sleep apnea he or she may have to send the patient to a sleep center so that medical practitioners can monitor your sleep. If you suffer from sleep apnea it is crucial that you get treated right away to avoid jeopardizing your life, and the life of the people you share the road with.

If you have been struck by a person who was driving under unsafe conditions, call Attorney Javier Marcos today. He will ensure that your matter is heard and will do the impossible to win your case.